Scientific Name: Ara Chloroptera

AKA's: Red and Green Macaw, Greenwing Macaw

Naming Rights: G.R. Gray, 1859

Origin: Panama, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Eucador, Brazil, and a small part of Argentina.

CITES Listing: Appendix II as of 06/06/1981

Weight: 975-1700 grams

Length: 82.9 cm (on ave.)

Life Expectancy: 50+ years

Age of Sexual Maturity: 4-5 years of age in captive bred birds

Sub-Species: It has been reported that there are two subspecies of the Green-winged Macaw. One is reported to have a "huge head and a well proportioned body". Some call this sub-species a "Giant Green-winged Macaw". There is not a lot of information on the subspecies.

First Captive Breeding Reported : 1962

Variations: There seems to be variations in the green scalloping of the nape. There is an example of that on the lower right. There has also been reports of a Green-winged Macaw with a slight bit of yellow on the wings. This is probably a regional variation.

Description: Has mostly bone colored upper mandible except for small portions which is black. Lower mandible is black. White facial patch with red feathers. Tongue is black, feet are dark grey with black. Body is deep red, with a green band along the middle of the wing and blue on the outter wing. The inside of the feathers are red. The tail is red and blends into a blue at the tip.

Immature Birds: The mandible begins bone colored and blacken with age. Immature eyes are black/grey and lighten with age. Facial feathers are brown and turn red as they mature.

Mutations: There are no known mutations of the Green-winged Macaw at this time.

Common Misconceptions: Some mistake the Scarlet Macaw and the Greenwing Macaw. Unless you are looking at a hybrid, you should be able to tell the two appart easily. Scarlet Macaws do not have facial feathers, they are smaller, their red is brighter in color, and they have a large yellow band of feathers on their wings.

Comments: Green-winged Macaws tend to have a gentle disposition. This does not mean that they are all gentle; every bird is an individual. Any bird can start out gentle and, after the neglect or ignorance of its keeper, can become quite the opposite. As with all macaws, this bird needs plenty to chew. Green-winged Macaws are capable of being very destructive and they are very smart! Some have been known to dismantle their cages when the owners were not home. When purchasing a cage you should try to buy one that either has no assembly required or has no nuts and bolts available to your bird. You have to be aware of what size chains you choose for their toys as some cannot withstand the strength of the Green-winged Macaws beak.